Pearl River Central High School’s varsity soccer team overcame a 1-4 deficit and scored five-unanswered goals to defeat Brookhaven High School 6-4 in the team’s Class 5A state playoffs first round matchup Monday night. But the beginning of the game was a different matter. By the end of the first half, the Panthers held a 2-0 lead and controlled every aspect of the game.

“At halftime, I told the team that it’s important that Brookhaven doesn’t score a third goal,” Head soccer Coach Joe Weems said. “If you manage to score early on, you will feel the momentum swing your way and they’re going to be against the wall but if they score a third goal, you will feel the life suck out of you.”

At the beginning of the second half, Brookhaven scored the team’s third goal of the game. Minutes later, PRC managed to score a goal. Brookhaven answered back with another goal, bringing its lead to 4-1 halfway through the second half. In the last 20 minutes of play time, Weems said the Blue Devils dominated possession of the ball and scored twice in a matter of 10 minutes. Just before the end of regulation play, PRC scored once again and sent the game into overtime.

The first half of overtime remained scoreless but two scores by the Blue Devils (10-7-1) in the second half propelled the team to a spot in the second round of the Class 5A state playoffs.

For PRC, Blaze Giovengo scored twice and Will Rogers, Samuel Lambert, Jorge Alcantara and Baylee Ratliff all scored one goal each. Goalkeeper Cole Benoit finished the game with six saves.

Also, Lambert finished the game with two assists and Alcantara had one.

“Our main problem is that we’re not consistent in every game. We came out flat and we didn’t react to the ball, we just sat back and watched the other team control the game,” Weems said. “Long Beach is a good team but if we play the way we did during the last 20 minutes of the game, we have a chance to win.”

— Lady Devils 5, Lady Panthers 0: During Monday night’s matchup, the PRC girls soccer team scored three goals in the second half to secure a 5-0 victory over Brookhaven and move on to the second round of the Class 5A soccer state playoffs.

For the Lady Devils, Jade Shaw scored two goals and Harlie Miley, Samantha Langlois and Samantha Kennedy scored one goal each. Miley and Alahna Lee had one assist each and goalkeeper Kylie Guerra ensured the shutout.

The Lady Devils finished the game with a total of 11 shots on the goal.

“We were happy because we played well and the girls followed our game plan and secured the win at the end,” Weems said. “We played well and every week, they continue to get better. Now the girls have a win under their belt and they deserve all the credit because they have worked hard this year and have done everything we have told them to do.”

At press time, both teams will host Long Beach High School Friday night for the second round of the Class 5A soccer state playoffs. Weems said the game might have to be rescheduled to Thursday due to weather. The Lady Devils will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the boys at 7:30 p.m.